riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Hamilton County Disaster Risk

Hamilton County, Tennessee

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

93th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#3

of 95 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

95th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively High

Higher than 95% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 71% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively High

Higher than 99% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively High

Higher than 96% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 63% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Hamilton County

Risk Verdict

Hamilton County has a relatively moderate overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 93th percentile nationally. While not in the highest tier, this county faces meaningful hazard exposure. Residents are encouraged to understand their specific risks and maintain emergency supplies.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Hamilton County, scoring in the 99th percentile nationally. It is followed by earthquake risk at the 96th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (95th), wildfire (71th), hurricane (63th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Hamilton County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as earthquake also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Hamilton County is significantly riskier than the average county in Tennessee. Its composite risk score is 40.8 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

Is your home insured against Hamilton County's risks?

Compare home and flood insurance quotes in minutes.

Get Quotes →

Sponsored

High flood risk area

Learn about NFIP flood insurance coverage for your property.

Learn More →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Hamilton County, TN?
Hamilton County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 93th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Hamilton County?
Hamilton County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (99th percentile), earthquake (96th percentile), flooding (95th percentile), wildfire (71th percentile), hurricane (63th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 99th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Hamilton County risk compare to the Tennessee average?
Hamilton County's composite risk percentile is 93th, compared to the Tennessee state average of 53th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Hamilton County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Tennessee.
Is Hamilton County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Hamilton County's tornado risk is at the 99th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Hamilton County is at the 95th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Why is Hamilton County higher risk than average?
Hamilton County's composite risk score of 93th percentile is above the Tennessee state average of 53th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (99th percentile), along with earthquake and flooding and wildfire and hurricane risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Knox County

Tennessee

-1.2

Relatively Moderate

92th percentile

Madison County

Tennessee

-1.2

Relatively Moderate

92th percentile

Rutherford County

Tennessee

-1.6

Relatively Moderate

92th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.

Explore more data for Hamilton County

Property TaxCost of LivingCrime RateIncomeHealthSchoolsWater QualityWeatherCounty Score